BCA more or less got out of the old car auction scene in 2009, when it folded the “Classics from BCA” division into its general highline used car sales (think Manheim). Now, BCA has announced that it’s reviving old car sales, but with a very unusual twist for England: a focus on muscle cars.

The first BCA American Muscle Cars auction will take place June 21 in Nottingham, with nine cars; there are 16 lots scheduled for July 19 and August 16; then at least 24 cars, monthly, thereafter – 288 cars a year. I can’t imagine that won’t sate the country’s demand. I’ve seen a grand total of one big old American car on the road in England, and that was a Polara cop car. There’s Richard Hammond, I suppose, but he’s already got a Charger R/T, so he’s set.

Maybe it’s prejudice, but I’ve always been leery of specialty American cars from overseas. I mean, how much experience with dual quads can even the best English mechanic have? I’m sure I’m a jerk for even entertaining the idea, but BCA has sidestepped the whole issue by sourcing all its cars direct from the United States. It has, oddly, entered a partnership with Maryland-based dealer group DARCARS, which is apparently exporting to them. What they know about muscle, I can’t say, but the catalog says that DARCARS is paying for restorations where needed, and the cars are being sold with documentation and resto pics.

They’re “real” cars, too: not Pro Touring, not resto-mods, not an aftermarket Cragar to be seen. Catalog photos are almost all clearly in the United States, down to visible Maryland plates on some. BCA is hoping for broad European interest; I could certainly see someone picking up a new Power Big Meet ride.

Is there pent-up demand for muscle in England? Gas has been around $9/gallon for premium in England lately, although they do have 93-octane (98 RON) high-test widely available and, I think, you can still get low lead at the pump. But, man, $140 fill-ups? We’ll check back after the sale to see how they do, and if the extraordinary cost of operation affects prices.

While in England recently, I noticed that American muscle cars and Corvettes sell for significantly more than here in North America. I mentioned to my English friend that I wondered if it would be worthwhile to have my classic Corvette converted to right-hand drive, and shipped to England if I ever considered selling it.

His advice was to “never” do a conversion. Apparently left hand drive is preferred — according to him conversions reduce the value of classic American cars sold in England. He lives in posh village near London where weekends bring out a surprising number of enthusiasts driving classic American tin (and fiberglass).

Must comment that you are so far wide of the mark. American Muscle is enthusiastically restored, driven and shown by lots of people here in the UK. Huge shows organised by the AACI, AACUK, Americana,(Google ‘Americana at Newark,’ think you will be surprised) and lots of smaller clubs across the country. Even at $9.47 a US Gallon there are many of us think its worth it, even if you drive it less than you would like, yes they mostly get used at week-ends and no, I wouldn’t entertain a RHD American car. Despite the costs, American cars of all ages are alive and well in the UK

Another UK guy here. Good to know you think we don’t know how to tune dual quads etc, I guess for the last 23 years the tripower on my 348ci 59 Impala must have miraculously set itself up when I wasn’t looking! As has been stated by others there is a pretty big American car scene here and it’s been around for many many years. It’s the same throughout Europe and Scandinavia, loads of enthusiasts having fun with American iron. In fact the Power Big Meet in Sweden will have around 10,000 vehicles attending with many rare examples to be seen. Yes gas is expensive as are parts but we still get on with our hobby. The majority of us only use them at weekends for shows and cruising and have a ‘compact’ for daily use. So yes we do understand how to tune ‘dual quads’ and have fun with our cars!

As a Brit I resent that dual quad comment, try tuning triple SU’s or 3 twin choke webbers ! Any decent Brit mechanic can cope with that ! P.S. there are more yank cars here than most people realise ! Maybe something to do with the American air bases that have been here since WW 2 !

If I may speak from 20 years in the “global” collector car community. I initially represented multiple publications in England, Germany, Japan and elsewhere when I came into this industry in the early 90’s. As the USA liaison to these markets,

I learned first had long ago that in addition to the steady Sports Car, Vintage Race Car and Exotic Car passions they are known for, England and Germany did in fact have a very serious passion and interest for American Muscle cars…and they still do. At the time, they were paying 2-2.5 times as much for these cars as we were here in the states because no one was importing them, one of the reasons many dealers in the USA began to sell overseas.

The cars being purchased by the UK back then…or now, may not always be seen on the road…but there are some collectors who have amassed phenomenal stalls of horsepower and they do come out for car events if not more frequently. There are plenty of car clubs for American car enthusiasts and they too have wonderful car shows where Muscle is featured. The world has a serious passion for all things Americana and it’s nice to see BCA help UK to access these cars.

This is also great for expanding the global business of numerous aftermarket and OEM suppliers and once again, the Internet is going to play a crucial role in connecting companies and car owners! Our friends in England will just have to pay great attention to climatic conditions as Americans do on the East Coast and elsewhere, where there is significant moisture and a threat of rust. While “California Rust-Free Car” will sound attractive from the other side of the globe, cars won’t stay that way unless well cared for.

I live in the Northwest UK and I can confirm from personal experience that the Muscle car seen is vey much alive here.My
website ukwheelsevents.com regularly features local muscle car owners which make up our growing car enthusiast membership. Take a look in the American Album in the photos section. The pictures are of local car events and illustrate the range and diversity of the cars we own. We also like doing burnouts and you can see a video of us practicing in a local car park. Oh and Hot Rods we like them too. Drag racing is very much alive on one of the 3 strips we have over here. Retro and Americana festivals can be found along with numerious specialist clubs. Yes its alive and well and growing

With regards to the UK love of American cars, here in East Anglia, when I was a kid, there were several USAF bases where we would see a few American cars, then years of American television, especially the Dukes of Hazzard, which exposed my impressionable brain to the American car culture. I am still saving up for something American and just a bit special, but I fear the whole car would be out of context, like listening to Country music in the middle of London, or Morris dancing in New York City. I went to California in 2010, and my rental Mustang made sence, though would it be like a holiday romance ? Would the Mustang convertable just look out of place in Rural Suffolk on a wet day in May ?

I guess that’s as daft as a Brit saying how would a yank cope with an E Type Jaguar.
I have 65 Fastback Mustang & an original SS 67 Camaro & live in central London. Not having everyone driving a yank just makes them more special when you do see one